Nba, from the Irving affair to the Seattle Cup, Commissioner Silver speaks

The NBA is ready to restart. “This is the season of our 75th anniversary, I hope it is as normal as possible, with a regular season of 82 games and the stadiums finally full,” said Commissioner Adam Silver in a virtual press conference with some forty reporters. Gazzetta dello Sport included. “I can’t wait to restart the competition – he said – there has never been so much talent in our league, as evidenced by the fact that 8 different teams have won the title in the last 11 seasons”. From the Irving affair to the mid-season cup, here’s Silver’s thoughts on NBA health on the eve of the start of 2021-22 (click here to read the special Gazette on the new season).

Fans

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“We have different situations in our markets, from New York where everyone has to be vaccinated to enter an arena to cities where it is illegal to ask a person for their status. We had full arenas in previous qualifying, closed before the delta variant of the coronavirus became a problem. It starts again when it appears to be in decline. We have learned over the years to be careful: I am sure, as in the past, if there is something to fix during the construction phase, we will do it. But let’s start with full arenas in all our cities, with the passion of the fans which is an integral part of what makes us special ”.

Kyrie and the vaccines

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Silver doesn’t hide when he cites the Irving case: “I would have preferred the players to accept the vaccination obligation, as did the referees, for example: I think this would have allowed us to avoid some of the problems we had. As for Kyrie. , I hope he finally decides to take the shot, because I would like to see him play and I would like to see the Nets, his team, enter the whole field. We know that the position of a player influences the fans and that is why I hope that everyone the players decide to take the shot at the end. However, Irving’s problem right now is with the New York City rules, not ours: the NBA, working with the players’ association, has adopted a specific rule and intends to enforce it “.

the commissioner’s cup

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Silver confirms that the NBA is flirting with the idea of ​​adding another cut to their schedule, modeled on what the WNBA has done this season. “We always try to formulate the best proposal – said the councilor on the idea of ​​the tournament. We need the agreement of the owners and the players, but I think we can easily participate in other competitions during the season without diminishing the importance of the Trophy. Larry O’Brien, who would remain our main trophy. I think another competition would make a lot of sense, but I think there are still a lot of people to convince. Starting with some players, who struggle to understand the need for another tournament. when they are so focused on winning the boss. And they don’t see the same opportunity to create new traditions as we do. “

expansion

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Silver also supports the expansion hypothesis, although it remains a far from high topic on the NBA’s development agenda. “We want to put the pandemic behind us and get back on track before seriously considering this option,” he said. It is, however, a subject that I am sure we will discuss further. And when we do, Seattle will be one of the first cities we turn to, especially now that they have an arena to match. But it is a premature speech to be addressed at this moment ”.